Old-Fashioned Ambrosia Salad like Grandma used to Make
If you’re looking for a blast from the past, mix up a bowl of this delicious Sour Cream Ambrosia Salad. More than likely, your grandma or mom made this when you were growing up. This simple old-fashioned ambrosia salad hit all the flavor texture points. Pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and sweet coconut are all held together with creamy, tart sour cream. Not sure who came up with this combination, but it’s a classic for a reason. It’s definitely one of those “don’t knock it till you try it” recipes.
Mix up a batch soon. It makes a great side dish for holidays like Thanksgiving and Easter. Who doesn’t love a side dish that’s also a conversation piece? My Aunt Jan’s Wheat Salad is another awesome “seems strange, but it’s delicious” recipe you’ve got to try.
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- Chocolate Dipped Coconut Cream Easter Eggs
- Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
- Maple Balsamic Roasted Carrots
- The Best Dinner Rolls
STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOS for how to make sour cream ambrosia salad
Frequently Asked Questions about how to make Sour Cream Ambrosia Salad
What is ambrosia salad?
It is a fruit salad that comes from the South. Another name for it is Five Cup Salad. Most recipes contain mandarin oranges, pineapple, coconut, and mini marshmallows in a mixture of mayonnaise, whipped cream, sour cream, yogurt, or cottage cheese. Some people even add nuts and maraschino cherries.
What is a good substitute for sour cream?
Sour cream adds a tart flavor to the salad and balances out the sweetness of the fruit and marshmallows. If you don’t like sour cream, you can substitute it with Greek or plain yogurt. Another alternative is whipped cream, but I only recommend using whipped cream if you’re going to serve it immediately. Otherwise, the salad will become runny from the fruit juices.
Can I make ambrosia salad ahead of time?
Absolutely. Making it ahead of time allows the flavors to mingle together, making it taste even better, and one less dish to prepare the next day.
What other types of fruit do you recommend for this salad?
What is great about ambrosia salad is you can tailor it to your liking. You can use fresh fruit in place of canned fruit or even replace the pineapple with a can of fruit cocktail.
How should I store the salad?
In an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Chef’s tools for Ambrosia Salad:
If you love Ambrosia Salad, you'll love these...
- 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks or tidbits, drained
- 1 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup sour cream
- Make sure the mandarin oranges and pineapple pieces are completely drained. I prefer to put them in a strainer over a bowl and let them sit for at least 10-20 minutes. (If you don't let them drain well, your salad will be runny.)
- Once they are properly drained, get a medium-sized mixing bowl and combine all of the ingredients. Stir well, but gently, until everything is covered with sour cream.
- You can serve immediately or let the flavors mingle covered in the refrigerator before serving. Tastes good either way. 🙂
- Enjoy!
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